FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             
CONTACT: Stacey Brann
sbrann@athletics.pitt.edu
Phone: (412) 648-8240

 

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team registered its first victory of the 2011 season, capturing a 1-0 win over Stony Brook on Friday at the Duquesne Invitational. The Panthers moved to 1-2 on the year while Stony Brook dropped to 0-1-1.

Sophomore Nico Wrobel (Berlin, Germany) connected on the eventual game-winner in the 59^th minute. Freshman goalkeeper Lee Johnston (Newberry, Fla.) collected his first career collegiate win, posting seven saves – the most for a Panthers keeper this season.

Pitt will face Valparaiso on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. in its second game of the two-day cross-town event.

“We needed this (win) and Stony Brook is a great team. We struggled our first two games of the season, but battled it out to win the game today,” said head coach Joe Luxbacher.

“Lee (Johnston) was big for us and a lot of guys contributed for us huge. Early in the game, Lee came up big and made a couple of saves. A lot of this game we had five of six freshmen on the field so this is a big confidence booster.”

Pitt had several good looks which included a strike by Andy Clifford (Bethel Park, Pa.) to the cross bar in the 38^th minute.

“(Andy) Clifford’s shot hit under bar and came out and looked as if it had cleared,” said Luxbacher. “Clifford had another shot later in the game that was on the mark.”

The Panthers got on the scoreboard when Wrobel bounced in a rebound opportunity. Senior Terry Akpua (Bowie, Md.) from the corner and 18 yards out drilled a shot into the box, which bounced out of the box and to the foot of Wrobel. The transfer slid across the box for the deciding and decisive goal.

Shots: Pitt 11, Stony Brook 19
Saves: Pitt (Johnston, 7), Stony Brook (Manz, 2)

Corner Kicks: Pitt 1, Stony Brook 11

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